Systems and methods for media distribution
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
InventorsThomas Thyni, Mats Ullerstig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide for methods and systems for optimizing the distribution of media content for multiple end users over Internet protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet.
Claims22
A method for switching from a unicast transmission of a program to a multicast transmission of said program comprising:
- requesting, by a client device, said program;
- receiving, at said client device, said unicast transmission of said program;
- receiving, at said client device, a message informing said client device that said client device will be joining a multicast channel which includes said program;
- receiving, at said client device, said multicast transmission of said program;
- switching, by said client device, from said unicast transmission of said program to said multicast transmission of said program;
- and
- receiving, at said client device, a message requesting that said client device join a multicast channel which includes said program.
A method for coordinating unicast and multicast transmissions of a program comprising:
- transmitting, from a media server, a plurality of unicast streams associated with said program;
- determining, at said media server, to begin a multicast transmission of said program;
- transmitting, from said media server, said multicast transmission of said program;
- and
- transmitting, from said media server, a message informing recipients of said plurality of unicast streams associated with said program to loin a multicast channel;
- and
- receiving requests, at said media server, to join said multicast channel which includes said program.
A client device comprising:
- a processor for requesting a program;
- a communications interface for receiving a unicast transmission of said program, wherein said communications interface at a later time receives a multicast transmission of said program, and for receiving a request to join a multicast channel which includes said program;
- and
- a software application in conjunction with said processor for switching from said unicast transmission of said program to said multicast transmission of said program based upon a response to said request.
A media server comprising:
- a communications interface for transmitting a unicast transmission of said program, wherein said communications interface at a later time transmits a multicast transmission of said program;
- a processor for deciding when to switch a recipient from said unicast transmission to said multicast transmission of said program, said decision being based, at least in part, on a request from the recipient;
- and
- a software application in conjunction with said processor for switching said recipient from said unicast transmission of said program to said multicast transmission of said program.
A method, in a network node having a processor and memory, of switching a plurality of devices receiving a unicast transmission of a program to receiving a multicast transmission of the program, said method comprising:
- determining a number of said plurality of said devices receiving said unicast transmission of the program that are capable of receiving said multicast transmission of the program;
- if said number exceeds a first threshold, sending each of said number of said plurality of said devices a request to switch to said multicast transmission of the program;
- determining another number of devices from said number of said plurality of devices which have, in response to said request, selected to switch to receiving said multicast transmission of the program;
- and,
- if said another number of devices which have selected to switch exceeds a second threshold, switching each of said another number of devices to receiving said multicast transmission of the program.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.